# smile the internet bank — user reviews > 128 indexed App Store user reviews of smile the internet bank by The Co-operative Bank, rated 4.80/5 from 33 ratings. - Source: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/smile-the-internet-bank/id1441405669/reviews - App overview in markdown: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/smile-the-internet-bank/id1441405669.md - Rating breakdown: 5★ 29 · 4★ 2 · 3★ 2 · 2★ 0 · 1★ 0 ## What do users think of smile the internet bank? Overall sentiment: mixed **Pros** - 👍 Easy to use and intuitive interface - 🔒 Reliable security features and fraud protection - ⚡ Fast money transfers and transactions - 💼 Ethical banking practices - 📱 Accessible 24/7 mobile banking - 😊 Loyal long-term customer satisfaction - 🎯 Simple and straightforward functionality - 🔐 Good customer support during emergencies **Cons** - ⚠️ Outdated app design and functionality - 🐛 Frequent app crashes and unavailability - ❌ Missing modern banking features - 📵 No real-time notifications for transactions - 🔌 Requires desktop for many operations - ⏱️ Long customer service wait times - 🚫 Limited transaction history access - 💰 Low daily payment limits - 🌐 No open banking API support - 📊 Poor credit card management features **Commonly reported bugs** - App unavailable/Mobile App Unavailable error - Cannot login after logout - Security verification failures requiring reinstall - Face ID toggle not working on iOS - Transaction list not updating - Keyboard decimal point issue on iPhone - App crashes on iOS 18 update - Session timeout while actively using app - Pending transactions not displaying correctly - Reference field being removed on payment updates - Amount field not read out for accessibility - App logging out after brief absence **Most requested features** - In-app secure messaging capability - Cheque deposit/scanning functionality - Card freeze/lock feature - Real-time payment notifications - Scheduled/future-dated payments - Standing orders via mobile app - Transaction search functionality - Statement download to spreadsheet - Card details visibility in app - Increased daily payment limits - Better payee list organization - Face ID/biometric improvements - iPad landscape view support - Open banking integration - Extended credit card statement history - Transaction query feature - Improved reference field management ## Newest reviews (13 of 128) ### 3/5 — App lacks full bank functionality *2026-07-22, version 4.4.0* The app doesn’t have the same facilities as the website. Smile/co-op still doesn’t support open banking! Unbelievable! ### 4/5 — Useful but missing features *2026-07-15, version 4.4.0* Very useful app but still lacks access to secure messaging which is very bizarre that after several years, in 2026, they still don’t have this key feature and forces you to use a PC. ### 4/5 — Normally good but when updated have to reset the finger print login *2026-07-09, version 4.4.0* I don’t like the small keyboard as am elderly . ### 3/5 — Sorting Payees *2026-05-22, version 4.3.0* We need to be able to find payees easier. Add a search function. This is basic. Also just because you changed the reference on a payment doesn’t mean it should stay in the payees details and mean that next time there’s an additional payee. Also, you should be able to validate all of the pays in one go. Get them all validated. ### 4/5 — Lagging capabilities *2026-05-21, version 4.3.0* The app is ok but sparse on features. Could do with a “pay by bank” options ### 4/5 — Cannot add app to iPhone 17 *2026-05-15, version 4.3.0* Just got a new phone had this app for years but cannot add it to my new phone , why is this ### 3/5 — It’s Basic but needs more features *2026-04-09* I have been with smile for years now and use the app that does the basics well, however it is missing plenty of features that other banks have ( message through app, scan cheques just to name a couple ) I have also looked back over old reviews and these 2 points keep coming up from years ago but still nothing done. I know this will get the standard response saying it will be passed to the developers, but will they actually be looked at??? **Developer response:** Hi, thanks for your review and feedback. We're always looking at ways to improve our app. We've recently added the option to freeze cards and we've plans to add more feature with future updates. I've passed your comments to our development team. Kind regards – Sammie ### 3/5 — Unable to read secure messages on mobile app *2026-03-25, version 4.2.0* Have to use desktop app to send or read secure messages which is not good if you only have access to your mobile. ### 2/5 — Outdated *2025-09-16, version 3.14.0* The functionality of the account hasn’t changed in more than 10-15 years. Advertised as the internet bank but smile should really look at what some of its competitors offer. Starling app is far superior. ### 4/5 — Transactions list out of date *2025-09-15, version 3.14.0* Updated 15/9/25 Thanks Michelle for your reply. I was a little unclear on my original — in fact the list was there but was not being updated. I’ve just looked and the txn list refreshed on both devices and is now up to date. Original review: This continues to be a good app, BUT… The phone and watch versions both no longer list transactions. This is unhelpful when I come to see what I’ve spent today. What happened to this feature? ### 4/5 — Transactions not listed *2025-09-12, version 3.14.0* This continues to be a good app, BUT… The phone and watch versions both no longer list transactions. This is unhelpful when I come to see what I’ve spent today. What happened to this feature? ### 3/5 — Message *2025-09-10, version 3.14.0* Please allow customer to send + review messages in app. Thanks ### 4/5 — Good but… *2025-09-10* I really like the app as it allows me to use my accounts easily and quickly. However, I find the list of payee annoying because if, like me, you pay someone fairly regularly, you find a long list of the same name and the scrolling goes on forever. Wouldn’t it be better to have the transactions of one person all in a specific folder for that person? I feel that, at this rate, in 10 years finding someone with a name that starts with a letter at the end of the alphabet will take me forever. **Developer response:** Hi Luca, thanks for your review and feedback. We're always looking at ways to improve our app and I've passed your comments to our development team. If there are any features you'd like to see added, please get in touch by sending a secure message or message us via X or Facebook. Thanks - Claire. ## Most critical reviews (10 lowest-rated) ### 1/5 — Total rubbish since Smile essentially disappeared *2026-07-24, version 4.4.0* So sad to see the best bank in the world descend onto such utterly appalling rubbish!!!! ### 1/5 — Don’t expect to be able to get to your money! *2026-07-13, version 4.4.0* The absolute worst nonsense ever with security. Answer all the security questions and get your account frozen. Go nowhere near this bank ### 1/5 — Rachel H *2026-05-10, version 4.3.0* The app is often glitching. When it is unavailable I have been left unable to buy shopping as I can’t access the app to move money from savings to current account. It is an unreliable app. ### 1/5 — Rubbish App! *2026-04-08, version 4.2.0* Update: 8.4.26: yet again the app is unavailable! Co-Op are clearly not investing any longer in Smile bank. Definitely time to leave - so frustrating. Original review, March 2026: This app hasn’t been working for days now and won’t even launch, saying ‘Mobile App Unavailable’. I’ve even deleted and reinstalled it in case it was a glitch on my phone. Completely unacceptable for an online only bank - Smile has been in decline for years and this is one more nail in the coffin. ### 1/5 — Unable to freeze Card *2026-02-27, version 3.16.0* Well……the ability to freeze a card directly thru the app is standard for modern mobile banking…..but not for the Smile. Hmmmm ### 1/5 — An online bank with no customer service after 6pm *2025-10-06, version 3.14.0* Impossible to contact them to do anything other than basic transactions after 6pm. There are so many better online banks out there. ### 1/5 — Stuck in a previous decade *2025-09-26, version 3.14.0* Coop/Smile are stuck in a bygone age and show lack of investment. Why can the app not handle secure messages? Why can’t you include a reference when sending payments to businesses that also bank with you? Why does it take several days for payments to coop visa to show up? Why did my login time out while I was actively typing this? Do any of you actually bank here? ### 1/5 — Poor functionality *2025-07-02* Unfortunately there is little you can do on this app that is useful if you are hoping to use it for managing your credit card. Only transactions in the calendar month appear, then they all disappear once the month ends with no access to statements, so checking transactions is impossible. There is no other real functionally so it is pretty pointless. I have been keeping the app and card in the hope that functionality will catch up, but I don’t think anything will change so I’m moving on. **Developer response:** Hi, thanks for your feedback. To view your credit card statements, please log into your full online banking via a web browser. We will ensure that your feedback is passed on. - Chris ### 1/5 — Probably the worst banking app ever *2025-05-29, version 3.11.0* This app is so dated and totally underwhelming- why we have to put up with this is beyond me. Functionality and design is poor and lacks any user experience. ### 1/5 — Stopped showing transactions *2024-11-29, version 3.8.1* Both the app and web based versions suddenly stopped showing transactions after a random date 4 months ago ## Most praised reviews (10 highest-rated) ### 5/5 — Easy to use *2026-07-20, version 4.4.0* As title says, very straightforward no nonsense app. ### 5/5 — Simplicity is king *2026-07-10, version 4.4.0* Excellent banking app that does (nearly) everything you expect from a good banking app. And it's ethical 😊 ### 5/5 — Easy to use *2026-07-04, version 4.3.0* Easy to ise ### 5/5 — excellent *2026-05-12, version 4.3.0* Clear and accessible. A very useful app as well. ### 5/5 — SMILE 😊 *2026-03-28, version 4.2.0* I am so happy with the advancements made to the mobile app, it’s so easy to use and it has come along way over the years. Great bank! ### 5/5 — Reliable and easy to use *2026-03-05* I was recently scammed by someone posing as the bank advisor to make payments to a new account on the basis of a fictitious withdrawal attempt. The scammer arranged to phone me the next day but by then I was suspicious and had phoned 159 who linked me up with the Co-operative bank fraud department. I was given advice to change all my passwords after having my i-phone professionally cleaned up. Meanwhile they froze my account and agreed to send a new debit card. When this action had been taken, they quickly restored my account and refunded the money I’d lost. I’m so grateful for the Co-op’s advice and support during this worrying time. **Developer response:** Thanks for your 5 stars! We're always here for you. - Chris ### 5/5 — User friendly *2026-02-05, version 3.16.0* I’ve used this app for ages and found it simple to use, safe and effective. ### 5/5 — Love it *2025-12-01, version 3.15.0* I have loved Smile bank account for nearly 25 years now and still consider it to be the best online bank account ### 5/5 — Failed to move with times *2025-11-15, version 3.15.0* The “internet” bank has failed to keep up with other new internet banks with immediate alerts when used card locking pots to save money in to name a few ### 5/5 — payees *2025-10-10, version 3.14.0* I wish your payees section was easier to navigate - I would like to type in the name and have it go straight to the payee --- *Data collected daily from the US App Store and indexed by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/). User reviews are verbatim App Store reviews. Ratings, prices and chart positions refresh continuously; this snapshot is from 2026-09-04.*